‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ Review: A Pirate Quest Without the Magic

A new SpongeBob SquarePants movie should feel like pure animated joy. But according to Variety critic Owen Gleiberman, “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” struggles to recapture the buoyant irreverence that defined the beloved Nickelodeon franchise. Released nearly two decades after SpongeBob’s earliest big-screen outings, the latest chapter follows a pirate-themed quest led by the cheerful fry cook. Yet despite a spirited setup, the underwater adventure reportedly delivers laughs that land softer than longtime fans expect.

Humor that no longer pops

Gleiberman notes that the film’s slapstick humor feels familiar and muted, lacking the anarchic energy that once made SpongeBob iconic. Compared with earlier features such as Sponge on the Run, the new movie leans on nostalgia rather than the inventive absurdity audiences associate with the square yellow mascot. The critic points to the franchise’s shift from hand-drawn animation to glossy digital production and describes how the texture and spontaneity of the original series seem diminished. SpongeBob still possesses charm, but his comic edge feels blunted.

A storyline built on fear and identity

In this adventure, SpongeBob discovers he is “36 clams tall,” tall enough to ride a roller coaster at Captain Booty Beard’s Fun Park. But instead of celebrating, he panics, signaling a deeper storyline about conquering fear and stepping into adulthood—at least by Bikini Bottom standards. That emotional arc could have grounded the narrative. Instead, the film reportedly relies on a predictable pirate quest driven by the ghostly Flying Dutchman, voiced by Mark Hamill. According to Gleiberman, Hamill’s performance feels generic rather than electrifying.

Classic characters, recycled gags

Mr. Krabs, Squidward, and Gary return for the voyage, but the reviewer suggests their supporting roles offer limited surprises. Though the film includes flashes of cleverness—including a meta dialogue loop reminiscent of Abbott and Costello—the movie overall reportedly treads familiar water. The review also highlights how director Don Drymon, a founding SpongeBob creative voice, keeps the slapstick coming. Yet without the off-kilter spark that Stephen Hillenburg’s early vision delivered, much of the humor lands predictably.

A franchise at a crossroads

For a generation that treasured SpongeBob’s surreal, rebellious spirit, Search for SquarePants may feel like a softened version of itself. Gleiberman implies that the character risks aging into formulaic territory, losing the unexpected chaos that fueled past installments. While younger audiences may still enjoy the jokes, longtime fans might find little of the wild creativity that once defined Bikini Bottom. The review frames the movie not as a failure, but as a sign of a franchise cautiously circling familiar waters instead of charting new ones.